How To Get Enough Zinc for Vegans and Vegetarians

Did you know that 1 in 4 Canadians diets may be low in zinc? Zinc deficiency is especially present in populations such as vegetarians, kids, pregnant ladies and breastfeeding moms. And it’s not just our diets. It has also been speculated that our soils have been depleted of this important mineral, thus putting the wider Canadian population at risk for zinc deficiency. But what does this mean? How important is zinc? Read on for How To Get Enough Zinc for Vegans and Vegetarians.

Why Do We Need Zinc?

Zinc’s role in human health is often underestimated. Zinc is needed for numerous aspects of cellular metabolism and is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes. It has a strong role in immune function, as well as protein synthesis, wound healing, and DNA synthesis. Zinc is also necessary for the elimination of carbon dioxide and maintaining the acid-base balance of the body. Zinc is crucial at times of growth and reproduction and is therefore extremely important for normal growth during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. It is also required for proper sense of taste and smell.

Zinc Is Important for Growth and Development, Children Playing in Myanmar

What Are The Sings Of Zinc Deficiency?

There are currently no reliable and readily available assessment tools for zinc status. Zinc levels in hair, saliva, and blood can be measured, however all of these methods have limitations. Some symptoms of zinc deficiency include but are not limited to;

Acne

Loss of taste

Poor wound healing

Retarded growth

Loss of appetite

Impaired immune function

Diarrhea

Delayed sexual maturation

Hair loss

Impotence and hypogonadism in males

Many of these symptoms are non-specific and often associated with other health conditions – therefore it is important to seek out a medical professional to ascertain whether a zinc deficiency is present.

How Much Zinc Do We Need?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is an average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrients requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals. Adult males require 11mg per day, females require 8mg per day. Pregnant women need 11mg per day, and these levels are increased to 12mg during lactation.

Baked Tofu with Soba Noodle Salad and Tahini Salad Recipe. Tofu and tahini are both great sources of zinc. Click photo for link to recipe.

Where Do We Find Zinc?

The best and most available sources of zinc are meat and seafood. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food. Vegetarian sources such as beans, nuts, whole-grains, dairy products and eggs are also a good source of zinc. Phytates which are present in whole grains, breads, legumes and nuts may inhibit the absorption of zinc by binding to the mineral and increasing excretion from the body. See How To & Health Benefits Of Sprouting Foods for more information on sprouting,

Sprouting lentils and mung beans, and soaking nuts, seeds, and whole grains greatly increases our ability to absorb zinc from these foods. Sprouting and soaking help to break down phytate, allowing our bodies increased access to the zinc.

Here is a list of some foods containing the highest density of Zinc per 100 calories.

Aduki beans (cooked, 1 cup) 4.1mg

Pine nuts (1/4 cup) 3.1mg

Pumpkin Seeds (1/2 cup) 2.6mg

Lentils (cooked, 1 cup) 2.5mg

*Ground beef (2oz/60g) 2.4mg

Soy beans (cooked, 1 cup) 2.0mg

Tofu, firm (1/2 cup) 1.3-2.0mg

Cashews (1/4 cup) 1.9mg

Wheat germ (2 tbsp) 1.8mg

Quinoa (cooked, 1/2 cup) 0.8mg

Mushrooms (cooked, 1/2 cup) 0.7mg

*Chicken, roasted (2oz/60g) 0.7mg

Miso (1 tbsp) 0.5mg

Figs, dried (5) 0.5mg

*Egg (1 medium) 0.5mg

*Milk (1/2 cup) 0.5mg

Mung Bean Sprouts, raw (1 cup) 0.4mg

Apricots, dried (10) 0.3mg

*animal foods for comparison

The How To And Health Benefits of Sprouting. Click photo for link to post.

How To Increase Zinc If You Are Following A Plant Based Diet

If you follow a plant based diet you may have an increased requirement for zinc due to the lesser bioavailability of zinc from plant based foods. There are some steps you can take to ensure that you are getting the maximum amount of zinc from you diet for optimum health;

Soak your nuts and whole grains before snacking on them or adding to baking,

Experiment with fermentation – the lactic acid formed when making sourdough may aid with mineral absorption. Fermentation of soy products may also increase the bioavailability of zinc such as in tempeh,

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Hi! I am Rachel and I am a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about plant-based nutrition that is not only healthy for us, but also for the planet. I want to share with you my favourite plant-based recipes, nutrition information that is always backed up by evidence, and tips on green sustainable eating. Check out my site and let me know what you think! Read more about The Conscious Dietitian